Instrument-Assisted Myofascial Therapy

Instrument Assisted Myofascial Therapy – Principles and Clinical Applications provides a complete overview of this effective therapy (IAMT) based on the authors’ own clinical experience of using instruments to treat myofascial lesions. The text combines the latest scientific findings and theories with practical guidelines. The authors describe the application of various IAMT techniques that the reader can easily integrate into daily clinical practice.

The text progresses from didactic to practical information relevant to a wide range of clinicians:

Anatomy of the myofascial system and its role in pain/dysfunction and treatments.
Science and theory of IAMT, including history, types and research on mechanisms of action and outcomes.
Practical application of IAMT practice: an overview of tissue specific techniques (scars, tendons, muscles).
Integration of IATM into clinical practice, including clinical decision-making (in diagnosis and treatment), indications, contraindications and complementary treatments.

The text is intended as a guide to the use of myofascial tools in daily practice. The reader will effortlessly learn how to use IATM to improve patient outcomes and use it in a way that is gentle on their own joints! The procedures are explained and demonstrated using a clear and practical approach.

Colour photographs illustrate the application of the therapy in these commonly treated areas:

• Cervical spine and head
• Shoulder
• Elbow, wrist and hand
• Thoracic spine and rib cage
• Lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint
• Knee
• Ankle and foot

Treatment protocols are provided that can be easily applied by the therapist to a variety of diagnoses that relate to the same structures, using a standardised and precise approach. A treatment protocol is first presented for a specific structure that is frequently treated. First, the instrument to be used is described, then the whole treatment is explained in detail, starting from the initial position of the therapist and the patient. Then, treatment courses as well as possible treatment options within the Myofascial Connective System (MCS) are listed. Starting with the primary structure to be treated, myofascial nodes are discussed, first regionally in a distal and proximal direction, then within a functional myofascial chain.

naturmed says: “This book greatly ease the various IATM procedures so that the practitioner can easily transfer them in practice.”

Readers will learn an integrated approach to IATM in a variety of clinical practice settings. Clinicians treating post-operative patients will benefit from a chapter dedicated to the management of scars. Numerous case studies and integration of other myofascial techniques (cupping, flossing/mobility bands, kinesiology taping and fascial fitness) round out the book.

Instrument Assisted Myofascial Therapy – Principles and Clinical Applications is the result of years of professional practice with IATM while evaluating patient outcomes. The concept is based on scientific evidence and has been developed in close collaboration with leading scientists and practitioners in the field of myofascial therapy. The text offers a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to IATM practice.

Part 1: Evidence-based Practice

Ch 1:The myofascial system: anatomy, role in pain/dysfunction/ treatments

Ch 2: IASTM: history, types, research on mechanisms of action, research on outcomes

Ch 3: Overview of Techniques, specific to tissue, scars, tendons, muscles, etc.

Ch 4: Integration in practice: clinical decision making (diagnosis/treatment), indications, contraindications, adjunct treatments

Part 2: Clinical Applications of IamT: Upper Quarter

Ch 5: Cervical/Head (neck pain, TMJ, headache)

Ch 6: Shoulder (impingement, frozen shoulder)

Ch 7: Elbow/Wrist/Hand (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, Duyuytren, hand OA)

Part 3: Clinical Applications of IamT: Lower quarter

Ch 8: Thoracic (Ribs)

Ch 9: lumbar spine (LBP, SIJD)

Ch 10: Hip (Pubalgia, OA, groin pain)

Ch 11:Knee (Hamstrings, patella tendon, OA)

Ch 12: Ankle & Foot (achilles, plantar fasciitis)

Part 4: Clinical Applications of IamT: Scars

Ch 13: Superficial skin scars

Ch 14: Deep scars of the ligaments and capsules after distortions and operations

Part 5: Case studies (by other authors)

Ch 15: Shoulder

Ch 16: Elbow

Ch 17: Knee

Ch 18: Ankle

Ch 19: Cervical Spine

Ch 20: TMJ (Temporomandibular joint)

Ch 21: Lumbar spine

Part 6: Therapeutic integration (by other authors)

Ch 22: The contribution of cupping to IASTM

Ch 23: The contribution of Flossing (Mobility Bands) to IASTM

Ch 24: The contribution of Kinesiology-Taping to IASTM

Ch 25: The contribution of Fascial Fitness to IASTM

Ch 26: The contribution of IASTM in the treatment of high performance athletes

Part 7: Conclusion and Summary Bringing it all together